Melanoma Skin Cancer

  April 9, 2021

   

                Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that develops when melanocytes start to grow out of control. Melanoma is less common than other types of skin cancers; however, it is far more dangerous as it is more likely to spread to other parts of the body quickly if not treated early. There are crucial signs to identify Melanoma from a patient by simply looking at their skin. The ABCDE acronym can help one determine whether an abnormal skin growth may be melanoma. The A is for Asymmetry and it is where there is a mole that has an irregular shape, and the B is for Border and the edge is not smooth, but irregular. Furthermore, Color is used to determine whether the mole has uneven shading or dark spots. The Diameter is when the spot is larger than the size of a pencil eraser and Elevation is when the spot is changing in size, shape, or texture. It is important to be able to recognize these warning signs to identify potential skin cancers such as Melanoma. Overall, the first symptom of melanoma is usually the appearance of a new spot or a change in an existing mole. Furthermore, one can identify a stage of melanoma by first determining the thickness. The thickness of a melanoma is determined by examining the melanoma under a microscope and measuring it. In addition to identifying certain signs of melanoma, it is also crucial to identify the severity of Melona as it is categorized into several stages. In stage 0 of melanoma, the tumor is still confined to the upper layer of the skin or epidermis. This stage of melanoma is very unlikely to spread to other parts of the body. In stage I the primary melanoma is still only in the skin and is decently thin. It is divided into two groups, depending on the thickness of the melanoma and seeing ulceration under a microscope. Stage II melanoma is thicker than stage I melanoma, extending through the epidermis and further into the dermis, the dense inner layer of the skin. Stage II is divided into 3 subgroups, which primarily depends on how thick the melanoma is. In Stage III melanoma, cancer has spread to one or more of the lymph nodes, and the lymphatic system is part of the immune system that drains fluids. Stage III is divided into four subgroups which are categorized depending on the size and number of lymph nodes involved with melanoma, or if it appears ulcerated under a microscope. Stave IV describes melanoma that has spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, such as distant locations on the skin, lymph nodes, or other organs like the lung. Stage IV is further evaluated based on the location of distant metastasis. To determine the severity or stage of melanoma, the lesion and the surrounding healthy tissue need to be surgically removed and analyzed using a microscope.